We investigated the eventual diagnosis in patients referred to a tertiary centre with a possible diagnosis of a primary bone malignancy. We reviewed our database from between 1986 and 2010, during which time 5922 patients referred with a suspicious bone lesion had a confirmed diagnosis. This included bone sarcoma in 2205 patients (37%), benign bone tumour in 1309 (22%), orthopaedic conditions in 992 (17%), metastatic disease in 533 (9%), infection in 289 (5%) and haematological disease in 303 (5%). There was a similar frequency of all diagnoses at different ages except for metastatic disease. Only 0.6% of patients (17 of 2913) under the age of 35 years had metastatic disease compared with 17.1% (516 of 3009) of those over 35 years (p < 0.0001). Of the 17 patients under 35 years with metastatic disease, only four presented with an isolated lesion, had no past history of cancer and were systematically well. Patients under the age of 35 years should have suitable focal imaging (plain radiography, CT or MRI) and simple systemic studies (blood tests and chest radiography). Reduction of the time to biopsy can be achieved by avoiding an unnecessary investigation for a primary tumour to rule out metastatic disease

We reviewed retrospectively 236 consecutive patients seen in our soft-tissue sarcoma clinic. Of these, 95 had had a primary soft-tissue sarcoma excised elsewhere, but with histologically inadequate resection margins. All these patients had a secondary and wider re-excision. The tissues removed at the secondary re-excision were examined histologically for the presence of residual tumour. Definite tumour tissue was found in 29 of 55 lower-limb specimens, 16 of 25 upper-limb, 7 of 10 trunk and 4 of 5 head and neck specimens. In 31 cases some residual tumour was visible macroscopically, and in 56 of the 95 patients (59%) the primary tumour had been incompletely excised. Our results indicate that surgical assessment of the adequacy of excision is very inaccurate and that most local recurrences are the consequence of inadequate primary surgery. The large number of patients who had inadequate initial treatment emphasises the need for a co-ordinated multidisciplinary approach to the management of patients with soft-tissue sarcoma

We present a review of 553 patients who underwent surgery for intractable sciatica ascribed to prolapsed lumbar intervertebral disc. One surgeon in one institution undertook or supervised all the operations over a period of 16 years. The total number of primary discectomies included in the study was 531, of which 42 subsequently required a second operation for recurrent sciatica, giving a revision rate of 7.9%. Factors associated with reoperation were analysed. A contained disc protrusion was almost three times more likely to need revision surgery, compared with extruded or sequestrated discs. Patients with primary protrusions had a significantly greater straight-leg raise and reduced incidence of positive neurological findings compared with those with extruded or sequestrated discs. These patients should therefore be selected out clinically and treated by a more enthusiastic conservative programme, since they are three times more likely to require revision surgery

Aims

The purpose is to determine the non-inferiority of a smartphone-based exercise educational care management system after primary knee arthroplasty compared with a traditional in-person physiotherapy rehabilitation model.

1. The venographic findings in clinical primary osteoarthritis are described. 2. Experimental venous engorgement, of the knee joint and of healing fibular fractures, results in accelerated bone formation and disturbed cartilage formation. 3. Changes in pH, ppCO. 2. , and PPO. 2. are indicated as the chemical means by which chondrogenesis and osteogenesis can be altered. 4. It is suggested that chronic venous stress in joints is a causal factor in primary osteoarthritis

We present six patients with chronic dislocation of the elbow who were treated by primary semiconstrained total elbow arthroplasty. All were women with a mean age of 65 years (51 to 76), the mean interval between dislocation and surgery was 17 weeks (5 to 52) and the mean follow-up 58 months (24 to 123). The most dramatic improvement was in function. The mean American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeon score was 5.2 times better (p < 0.001) and the mean total range of movement increased from 33° to 121° (p < 0.001) after operation. Three patients developed wear of polyethylene. One required revision for a periprosthetic fracture, and another required a bushing exchange. Primary semiconstrained elbow arthroplasty provides significant, predictable functional improvement. Potential solutions for wear of polyethylene include a different operative technique or design of implant. Despite the high incidence of such wear, total elbow arthroplasty should be considered as a viable treatment option for chronic dislocation of the elbow in elderly patients

Of 110 consecutive open tibial fractures 90 were reviewed and analysed retrospectively with particular reference to wound closure, method of stabilisation, infection rate and the incidence of non-union. There were 41% Gustilo type I, 39% type II and 20% type III injuries. The incidence of deep infection was 20% after primary wound closure compared with 3% after delayed closure, and eight of the nine non-unions followed primary closure. We conclude that primary wound closure should be avoided in the treatment of open tibial fractures

There has been speculation as to how the outcome of revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA) compares with that of primary TKA. We have collected data prospectively from patients operated on by one surgeon using one prosthesis in each group. One hundred patients underwent primary TKA and 60 revision TKA. They completed SF-12 and WOMAC questionnaires before and at six and 12 months after operation. The improvements in the SF-12 physical scores and WOMAC pain, stiffness and function scores in both primary and revision TKA patients were highly statistically significant at six months. There was no statistically significant difference in the size of the improvement in the SF-12 physical and WOMAC pain, stiffness and function scores between the primary and revision patients at six months after surgery. The SF-12 mental scores of patients in both groups showed no statistically significant difference after surgery at the six- and 12-month assessments. Our findings show that primary and revision TKA lead to a comparable improvement in patient-perceived outcomes of physical variables in both generic and disease-specific health measures at follow-up at one year

We reviewed the results of the treatment of 30 tibial fractures with minor to severe bone loss in 29 patients by early soft-tissue and bony debridement followed by primary locked intramedullary nailing. Subsequent definitive closure was obtained within the first 48 hours usually with a soft-tissue flap, and followed by bone-grafting procedures which were delayed for six to eight weeks after the primary surgery. The time to fracture union and the eventual functional outcome were related to the severity and extent of bone loss. Twenty-nine fractures were soundly united at a mean of 53.4 weeks, with delayed amputation in only one patient. Poor functional outcome and the occurrence of complications were usually due to a departure from the standard protocol for primary management. We conclude that the protocol produces satisfactory results in the management of these difficult fractures, and that intramedullary nailing offers considerable practical advantages over other methods of primary bone stabilisation

This study reports the experience of one treatment centre with routine surveillance MRI following excision of musculoskeletal sarcoma. The case notes, MRI and histology reports for 57 patients were reviewed. The primary outcome was local tumour recurrence detected on either surveillance MRI in asymptomatic patients, or interval MRI in patients with clinical concern. A total of 47 patients had a diagnosis of soft-tissue sarcoma and ten of a primary bone tumour. A total of 13 patients (22%) had local recurrence. Nine were identified on a surveillance scan, and four by interval scans. The cost of surveillance is estimated to be £4414 per recurrence detected if low-grade tumours with clear resection margins are excluded. Surveillance scanning has a role in the early detection of local recurrence of bone and soft-tissue sarcoma

1. A primary subacute type of staphylococcal osteomyelitis has been described. It is the commonest form of osteomyelitis seen in East Africa, and the incidence appears to be increasing in Great Britain. 2. A review of the literature indicates that this is not a new disease but that in the past there has been some confusion in terminology. 3. The causative organism is a coagulase positive staphylococcus, but in a few instances a coagulase negative one has been isolated. The staphylococcus is thought to be of reduced virulence and in East Africa it is likely that the population has acquired an increased resistance to the staphylococcus. 4. Two radiologically distinct groups are recognised, depending on whether a bone abscess is present or not. In the first group there are two types of localised abscesses: the familiar Brodie's lesion and the less well recognised large bone abscess that occurs in the metaphysis of a long bone. While the pathology of the two types is similar, the radiological features are quite distinct. The lesions in the second group are characterised by extensive diaphysial changes, with or without metaphysial involvement, and an obvious abscess cannot usually be demonstrated. 5. The main clinical features are the long history, often weeks or months, before diagnosis; insignificant or absent general reaction to the infection and minimum physical signs. 6. Vertebral body osteomyelitis in adults is included because it generally presents as a subacute infection; the difficulties in distinguishing it from a tuberculous infection are outlined. 7. The most useful diagnostic aids are the staphylococcal antibody titres (especially in vertebral infections) and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate. A limited surgical exposure is usually required if the causative organism is to be isolated and empirical antibiotic therapy is to be avoided. The total and differential white blood count are so often normal in these patients that they are considered to be of no diagnostic value. 8. Curettage and local antibiotics together will cure the localised bone abscess. Other lesions may be effectively treated by systemic antibiotics alone, but in the later stages removal of sequestra and infected granulation tissue may be necessary. In this instance it is essential to make a planned incision and to cut a window in the bone large enough to expose the whole of the lesion; primary suture of the wound is advocated

1. The literature of primary or idiopathic protrusio acetabuli is reviewed with particular reference to familial and racial influence on pathogenesis. 2. The radiological criteria of a "deep" acetabulum and of a "protruded" acetabulum are discussed. 3. Four generations of a family are presented in which all three members of the second generation showed marked protrusio acetabuli. In the remaining generations most members appeared to have abnormally deep acetabuli. 4. It is concluded that this family shows a strong familial tendency to deep or intruded acetabuli. The family tree, though incomplete, suggests a genetic influence ofa dominant type

Primary malignant tumours should be resected with wide margins. This may be difficult to apply to lesions of the spine. We undertook total vertebrectomy on seven patients, four males and three females with a mean age at operation of 26.5 years (6.3 to 45.8). The mean follow-up was 52.3 months. Histological examination revealed a Ewing’s sarcoma in two patients and osteosarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, spindle-cell sarcoma, chondrosarcoma and malignant schwannoma in one each. In five patients, histological examination showed that a wide resection had been achieved. At follow-up there was no infection and a permanent neurological deficit was only seen in those patients in whom the surgical procedure had required resection of nerve roots. Despite the high demands placed on the surgeon and anaesthetist and the length of postoperative care we consider total vertebrectomy to be an appropriate procedure for the operative treatment of primary malignant lesions of the spine

Aims

The aim of this study was to determine the stability of a new short femoral stem compared with a conventional femoral stem in patients undergoing cementless total hip arthroplasty (THA), in a prospective randomized controlled trial using radiostereometric analysis (RSA).

We reviewed, at two to seven years, the results of repair of 108 median and ulnar nerves after clean transection injury between the elbow and wrist in 95 patients ranging in age from 15 to 55 years. Of these, 48 nerves had primary suture, 25 had delayed suture, and 35 were grafted, all repairs being performed by the senior author using standard techniques. Assessment was based on the methods and grading described by Seddon (1975). Thirteen of 60 secondary repairs or grafts failed, but no primary repair failed completely. There were few excellent results; they were found only after primary distal repair in younger patients

We present three children with primary subacute epiphyseal and metaepiphyseal osteomyelitis. The diagnosis was delayed because of subtle radiological findings and mild general symptoms. Primary epiphyseal osteomyelitis is extremely rare. We believe that this is the first time that the MRI findings have been presented. In the first case they revealed a perforation into the knee and therefore an intra-articular epiphyseal approach was used for debridement. In the second and third cases the metaepiphyseal lesions showed considerable physical involvement and a metaphyseal approach was chosen. We believe that in this condition MRI is essential both for diagnosis and in the planning of surgical treatment

1. A case of primary osteosarcoma of the patella is reported. 2. A brief review of the literature has been made. 3. In the author's opinion only nine genuine cases have been reported, including the present case

We describe a method of partial limb salvage for the treatment of large primary malignant tumours of the arm. The tumour-bearing area is resected as a cylindrical segment and the distal arm is then replanted with the necessary shortening. The method is suitable for stage-IIB tumours with or without neurovascular involvement which, because of their extent, could otherwise be adequately treated only by amputation. From 1987 to 1992 we used this method in 12 patients with primary malignant bone or soft-tissue sarcomas. Wide resection margins were achieved in all, but six patients died from their disease at a mean of 21.5 months (6 to 48), none with any local recurrence. Five patients have no evidence of disease at a mean follow-up period of 52.2 months (22 to 78), and one was lost to follow-up at 48 months postoperatively when there was no evidence of disease. The results of the functional evaluation of ten patients with a follow-up of over ten months were excellent in one, good in six and fair in three, by the criteria of Enneking (1987). Recovery after nerve reconstruction was satisfactory in all cases with sensation S3 or higher and motor function M2+ or higher. Detailed evaluation of hand function on the Millesi score rated only 22% (9.6% to 33.7%) as compared with the contralateral side, but the patients were satisfied and refused further operations for the improvement of function. These oncological and functional results allow us to recommend resection-replantation as a valuable alternative to amputation for the treatment of primary malignant tumours of the arm

1. Seven new cases of primary reticulo-sarcoma of bone are recorded, including one in which a full necropsy was carried out. 2. The literature of Ewing's tumour and reticulo-sarcoma of bone has been examined and the conclusion reached that the separation of these two tumours is an artificial one. 3. The investigation of our cases confirms this observation

1. Two cases of primary skeletal haemangiopericytoma treated by ablative surgery, one in combination with radiotherapy, are reported. 2. A discussion of the management of these tumours includes surgical excision, radiotherapy, a combination of both or a combination of radiotherapy with chemotherapeutic agents. 3. Because of the unpredictable behaviour of these tumours it seems necessary to include ablative surgery if cure is to be expected